The Abolition of Turnpikes

Turnpike trusts were first established by an Act of George II in 1729. The Trusts levied a toll on road users to support maintenance works. As time went on, and especially during 1810-1815 traffic on turnpike roads was at its peak.

Abolition of Turnpikes 1854

Article on the Abolition of Turnpike Roads taken from the Carlow Sentinel 18th November 1854. Signed Edward Hudson, No3 Gardiner's place, Dublin Solicitor to the Bill, M. Browne and Son, No13 Cannon-row, Westminster, London, Parliamentary Agents.

Carlow County Library

Abolition of Turnpikes 1854
Carlow County Library

Abolition of Turnpikes 1854

Article on the Abolition of Turnpike Roads taken from the Carlow Sentinel 18th November 1854. Signed Edward Hudson, No3 Gardiner's place, Dublin Solicitor to the Bill, M. Browne and Son, No13 Cannon-row, Westminster, London, Parliamentary Agents.

Carlow County Library

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On November 18th 1854 a parliamentary notice regarding the Abolition of Turnpikes was published in the Carlow Sentinel. It dealt with a number of routes but specifically to the Dublin and Carlow Turnpike. It stated that it was intended to alter or repeal the acts relating to turnpike roads. They would henceforward, subject to the proposed act, be declared public or free highways. The taking of tolls would therefore be abolished on those Turnpike roads. The Trustees of the Dublin to Carlow Turnpike, among other routes, would be discharged from duty.

The Dublin to Carlow road would be maintained by Presentments to be made by the Grand Juries of the Counties through which the road passed. Charges for the maintenance of the road would be made by County Cess under the laws relating to the county roads. Charges and debts pertaining to the Turnpike Trusts would in future be apportioned to the relevant Counties or Baronies. Grand Juries were also empowered to raise loans for the discharge of debts and charges on their roads.

An important feature of the proposed legislation was to provide for the appointment of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland. The Commissioners would carry the proposed act into execution. They would take over the property and lands, toll houses and turnpike gates previously owned by the Turnpike Trusts. They would also be empowered to dispose of same in the future.

Extract from -The Turnpikes Abolition Act- 1857

An extract from "The Turnpike Abolition Act (Ireland) of 1857, during the reign of Queen Victoria. It provided for the discontinuation of tolls on all Turnpike Roads in Ireland and for the maintenance of such roads in future, as public roads.

Carlow County Library

Extract from -The Turnpikes Abolition Act- 1857
Carlow County Library

Extract from -The Turnpikes Abolition Act- 1857

An extract from "The Turnpike Abolition Act (Ireland) of 1857, during the reign of Queen Victoria. It provided for the discontinuation of tolls on all Turnpike Roads in Ireland and for the maintenance of such roads in future, as public roads.

Carlow County Library

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It was stated also that it was intended to apply costs to the Counties or Baronies (of the Turnpike Roads). These costs included:
- Costs relating to the proposed Bill and Act
- Costs arising from the Commission and Inquiry into the Turnpike Trusts. This Inquiry had recently been held before Abraham Hayward Esq. Q.C. and Major Haines R.E.

Former officers of the Turnpike roads were entitled to compensation for the charges brought into force by the proposed Act.

A commission established in 1856 to inquire into toll roads found that their mileage had decreased from 1,500 to 325 miles. They were experiencing increasing competition from the railways. The Turnpikes Abolition Act was passed therefore in 1857 and the existing turnpike roads were handed over to the County Surveyors and the Grand Jury.

Turnpike Abolition Act 1857

The Turnpike Abolition Act 1857. Taken from the Carlow Sentinel 27 Feb 1858. Signed Edward Clements Turnpikes Abolition Commissioner.

Carlow County Library

Turnpike Abolition Act 1857
Carlow County Library

Turnpike Abolition Act 1857

The Turnpike Abolition Act 1857. Taken from the Carlow Sentinel 27 Feb 1858. Signed Edward Clements Turnpikes Abolition Commissioner.

Carlow County Library

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Following on the passing of this act The Turnpikes' Abolition Commissioner held a sitting in Carlow on February 1st 1858. It was for the purpose of inquiring into the Debts and Liabilities of the Carlow and Castlecomer Turnpike Trust. The inquiry was adjourned to March 5th 1858. The commissioner gave notice that all persons claiming to be creditors of the trust should attend on that day. In the event of their non attendance, they should be represented by their agents. He called on all officers or persons having custody of maps, books or minutes relating to the Trust to produce them for inspection at the proposed sitting. The notice was signed by Edward Clements, the Turnpikes Abolition Commissioner on February 25th 1858.